Battery pack

ABSTRACT

A battery pack includes: a first cooling plate including a first cooling path, along which a refrigerant is circulated, and a first inlet pipe connected to the first cooling path; a second cooling plate including a second cooling path, along which a refrigerant is circulated, and a second inlet pipe connected to the second cooling path and sealingly engaged to the first inlet pipe; a main supply pipe branching from the first inlet pipe or the second inlet pipe and supplying a refrigerant to the first inlet pipe and the second inlet pipe; and a pack unit body including at least one battery cell and disposed between the first cooling plate and the second cooling plate.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

This patent document claims the priority and benefits of Korean PatentApplication No. 10-2021-0129490 filed in the Korean IntellectualProperty Office on Sep. 30, 2021, the entire disclosure of which isincorporated herein by reference for all purposes.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a battery pack.

BACKGROUND

A secondary battery is a battery capable of charging and dischargingelectricity, and has a wide application range, including to relativelysmall portable electronic devices, mid-sized to large-sized automobiles,and power storage devices.

A secondary battery may be used as a secondary battery cell, and thesecondary battery cell may have a configuration in which a stack body,including a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and a separator,is disposed in an exterior material and an electrolyte fills the insideof the exterior material. When a plurality of secondary battery cellsare electrically connected to form a battery pack, capacity and anoutput amount of the battery pack may be increased.

However, a plurality of secondary battery cells, arranged to be dense ina battery pack, may be overcharged and exposed to various events such asa high-temperature external environment at any time, so that the batterypack may have a risk of ignition or explosion.

SUMMARY

The disclosed technology can be implemented in some embodiments toimprove cooling efficiency of a battery cell.

The disclosed technology can also be implemented in some embodiments toimprove assembly efficiency and space utilization efficiency of abattery cell.

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, a battery packincludes: a first cooling plate including a first cooling path, alongwhich a refrigerant is circulated, and a first inlet pipe connected tothe first cooling path; a second cooling plate including a secondcooling path, along which a refrigerant is circulated, and a secondinlet pipe connected to the second cooling path and sealingly coupled,connected, or engaged to the first inlet pipe; a main supply pipebranching from the first inlet pipe or the second inlet pipe andsupplying a refrigerant to the first inlet pipe and the second inletpipe; and a pack unit body including at least one battery cell anddisposed between the first cooling plate and the second cooling plate.

The first cooling plate may further include a first outlet pipeconnected to the first cooling path, and the second cooling plate mayfurther include a second outlet pipe connected to the second coolingpath and sealingly coupled, connected, or engaged to the first outletpipe. The battery pack may further include a main outlet pipe branchingfrom the first outlet pipe or the second outlet pipe and discharging arefrigerant, received from the first outlet pipe and the second outletpipe, to the outside.

The first inlet pipe may be coupled to the second inlet pipe in acoupling direction, parallel to a height direction of the battery cell.

The main supply pipe and the main outlet pipe may allow a refrigerant toflow in a first flow direction, perpendicular to the coupling direction.The first inlet pipe, the first outlet pipe, the second inlet pipe, andthe second outlet pipe may allow a refrigerant to flow in a second flowdirection, parallel to the coupling direction.

At least one of the first inlet pipe and the first outlet pipe may beprovided such that an external diameter in a coupling portion to atleast one of the second inlet pipe and the second outlet pipe is smallerthan an internal diameter in a coupling portion to at least one of thesecond inlet pipe and the second outlet pipe. The first inlet pipe andthe first outlet pipe may be fitted and coupled to the second inlet pipeand the second outlet pipe, respectively.

The first inlet pipe and the first outlet pipe may be provided to have aloose fit tolerance or a medium fit tolerance to the second inlet pipeand the second outlet pipe, respectively.

The battery pack may further include: a sealing member disposed in atleast one of a position between an external surface of the first inletpipe and an internal surface of the second inlet pipe and a positionbetween an external surface of the first outlet pipe and an internalsurface of the second outlet pipe.

The battery pack may further include: a side frame facing the pack unitbody; and a cover member disposed between the first cooling plate or thesecond cooling plate and the pack unit body to cover the pack unit body.

The cover member may be disposed between the first cooling plate and theback unit body, and the battery pack may further include a heat transfermaterial disposed in at least one of a position between the cover memberand the first cooling plate and a position between the cover member andthe pack unit body.

The heat transfer material may also be disposed between the pack unitbody and the second cooling plate.

At least one of the first inlet pipe, the first outlet pipe, the secondinlet pipe, the second outlet pipe, the main supply pipe, and the mainoutlet pipe may be provided to be flexible.

The side frame may have a first venting hole and a second venting holeconnected to the outside, and the side frame may further include apartition wall frame having a third venting hole connected to the firstventing hole and connected to the side frame such that the third ventinghole faces the pack unit body.

The above and other aspects and implementations of the disclosedtechnology are described in greater detail in the drawings, thedescription, and the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a battery pack accordingto an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a partially perspective view of a battery pack according to anembodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of front end regions of afirst cooling plate and a second cooling plate according to anembodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a first inlet pipe according to anembodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a second inlet pipe and a mainsupply pipe according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of a battery pack according to anembodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 7 is a partially exploded perspective view of a battery packaccording to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A′ of FIG. 6 .

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A′ of FIG. 6 andillustrating a battery pack according to another embodiment of thepresent disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In order to help in an understanding of a description of embodiments ofthe present disclosure, elements indicated with the same referencenumerals in the accompanying drawings are the same elements, and relatedelements among the elements that perform the same action in eachembodiment are marked with the same numeral or related numerals.

In addition, in order to clarify a gist of the present disclosure, adescription of elements and techniques well known in the prior art willbe omitted, and hereinafter, the present disclosure will be described indetail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

However, it can be understood that the spirit of the present disclosureis not limited to embodiments to be provided, and specific componentsmay be proposed in other forms in which specific elements are added,changed, or deleted by those skilled in the art, but this is alsoincluded within the scope of the same spirit as the present disclosure.

Hereinafter, in the accompanying drawings, an X-axis is a widthdirection of a battery cell, a Y-axis is a height direction of thebattery cell, and a Z-axis is a thickness direction of the battery cell.However, these directions are only set for ease of description and maybe appropriately vary depending on usage environments of a battery,specifications required for the battery, and the like. Embodiments ofthe present disclosure to be described below are not interfered with bydirections related to the battery cell.

FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a battery pack accordingto an embodiment of the present disclosure.

As illustrated in FIG. 1 , a battery pack according to an embodiment mayinclude a first cooling plate 110 having a first cooling path 111therein, a second cooling plate 120 having a second cooling path 121therein, and a pack unit body 140 interposed between the first coolingplate 110 and the second cooling plate 120.

A cooling liquid such as a refrigerant for cooling may be present ineach of the first cooling path 111 and the second cooling path 121.Water may be used as the cooling liquid or the refrigerant, but the typeof the cooling liquid or the refrigerant is not limited by specificexamples in the present disclosure and various suitable cooling liquidsor refrigerant may be appropriately selected and applied according tousage environments, desired cooling capacity, and other considerationsfor the battery pack.

The first cooling plate 110, the second cooling plate 120, and the packunit body 140 may be disposed in a direction, parallel to an X-axis, andmay be stacked in a direction, parallel to a Y-axis. Each of the firstcooling plate 110 and the second cooling plate 120 may be in contactwith the pack unit body 140.

The first cooling plate 110 may include a first inlet pipe 112 connectedto the first cooling path 111 and extending in a negative Y-direction.The first inlet pipe 112 may be provided to allow the refrigerant toflow therein. The refrigerant may be introduced into the first coolingpath 111 through the first inlet pipe 112.

The second cooling plate 120 may include a second inlet pipe 122connected to the second cooling path 121 and extending in a positiveY-direction. The second inlet pipe 122 may be provided to allow therefrigerant to flow therein. The second inlet pipe 122 may be sealinglycoupled, connected, or engaged to the first inlet pipe 112, and may beseparated from the first inlet pipe 112, as necessary. The refrigerantmay be introduced into the second cooling path 121 through the secondinlet pipe 122.

The first cooling path 111 and the first inlet pipe 112 may be sealinglycoupled, connected, or engaged to each other, and the second coolingpath 121 and the second inlet pipe 122 may be sealingly coupled,connected, or engaged to each other. A sealing component, such as anO-ring (not illustrated), may be used for sealingly coupling between thefirst cooling path 111 and the first inlet pipe 112 and between thesecond cooling path 121 and the second inlet pipe 122. Alternatively, abracket for coupling (not illustrated) may be used as the sealingcomponent, but exemplary embodiments are not limited thereto.

The structure, in which the first cooling path 111 and the secondcooling path 112 are respectively provided in the first cooling plate110 and the second cooling plate 120, is not limited by the presentdisclosure. In consideration of cooling characteristics of the batterypack, the first cooling path 111 and the second cooling path 121 may berespectively provided, in an appropriate form, in the first coolingplate 110 and the second cooling plate 120.

A coupling direction, a direction in which the first inlet pipe 112 andthe second inlet pipe 122 are coupled to each other, may beperpendicular to the first cooling path 111. The coupling direction maybe parallel to a Y-axis illustrated in FIG. 1 . The coupling directionmay be parallel to a height direction of a battery cell 141.

A separation direction, a direction in which the first inlet pipe 112and the second inlet pipe 122 are separated from each other while beingcoupled to each other, may be perpendicular to the first cooling path111. The separation direction may be parallel to a Y-axis illustrated inFIG. 1 . However, when the coupling direction is a negative Y-direction,the separation direction may be a positive Y-direction.

Accordingly, the coupling of the first inlet pipe 112 and the secondinlet pipe 122 may be completed by seating the pack unit body 140 on thesecond cooling plate 120 and covering the first cooling plate 110 withthe pack unit body 140. This may contribute to improvement of assemblyefficiency of the battery pack.

In an embodiment, the main supply pipe 130 may branch from the secondinlet pipe 122 in a direction, parallel to the second cooling path 121.The main supply pipe 130 may be provided to allow the refrigerant toflow therein. A flow path, provided in the main supply pipe 130, may bedisposed in a direction, parallel to the second cooling path 121.

In another embodiment, the main supply pipe 130 may branch from thefirst inlet pipe 112.

When the main supply pipe 130 has a structure branching from the firstinlet pipe 112 or the second inlet pipe 122, a cooling structure of thebattery pack may be completed only by coupling the first inlet pipe 112and the second inlet pipe 122 to each other without an additionalfastening component. Accordingly, components required to assemble thebattery pack may significantly decrease in size, and manufacturing costsmay be reduced. In addition, the main supply pipe 130 may be formed tobe integrated with the first inlet pipe 112 or the second inlet pipe122.

In addition, since the components required to assemble the battery packsignificantly decrease in size, space efficiency of the battery pack maybe improved.

In addition, when the space efficiency of the battery pack is improved,the number of mounted battery cells 141 may be increased as comparedwith the same volume.

In addition, unnecessary components may be excluded to reduce a weightof the battery pack.

The main supply pipe 130 may be connected to the pump 160. The pump 160may receive the refrigerant from a tank (not illustrated) in which therefrigerant is stored, and may supply the received refrigerant to themain supply pipe 130. In an embodiment, the pump 160 may be provided ina vehicle provided with a battery pack. However, exemplary embodimentsare not limited thereto, and the pump 160 may be replaced with anotherpower generation unit according to characteristics of a mechanicalapparatus in which the battery pack is mounted.

FIG. 2 is a partially perspective view of a battery pack according to anembodiment of the present disclosure.

As illustrated in FIG. 2 , in an embodiment, the first cooling plate 110may include a first outlet pipe 113 connected to the first cooling path(111 of FIG. 1 ) in a region, different from a region in which the firstinlet pipe 112 is disposed.

In addition, the second cooling plate 120 may include a second outletpipe 123 connected to the second cooling path (121 of FIG. 1 ) in aregion, different from a region in which the second inlet pipe 122 isdisposed. The second outlet pipe 123 may be sealingly coupled,connected, or engaged to the first outlet pipe 113. The first outletpipe 113 and the second outlet pipe 123 may be coupled to each other ina direction, parallel to a Y-axis, and may be separated from each otherin a direction, parallel to the Y-axis.

The first outlet pipe 113 may be a path by which the refrigerant of thefirst cooling path (111 of FIG. 1 ) is discharged outwardly of the firstcooling plate 110.

The second outlet pipe 123 may be a path by which the refrigerant of thesecond cooling path (121 of FIG. 1 ) is discharged outwardly of thesecond cooling plate 120.

The main outlet pipe 150 may branch from the first outlet pipe 113 orthe second outlet pipe 123. The battery pack according to an embodimentmay include a main outlet pipe 150 branching from the second outlet pipe123. However, the main outlet pipe 150 may branch from the first outletpipe 113. When the main outlet pipe 150 has a structure branching fromthe first outlet pipe 113 or the second outlet pipe 123, a coolingstructure of the battery pack may be completed only by coupling thefirst outlet pipe 113 and the second outlet pipe 123 to each otherwithout an additional fastening component. Accordingly, componentsrequired to assemble the battery pack may significantly decrease insize, and manufacturing costs may be reduced. In addition, the mainoutlet pipe 150 may be formed to be integrated with the first outletpipe 113 or the second outlet pipe 123.

The main outlet pipe 150 may be provided to discharge the refrigerant,supplied from the first outlet pipe 113 and the second outlet pipe 123,to the outside of the main outlet pipe 150. A drain pipe (notillustrated) may be additionally connected to the main outlet pipe 150to collect refrigerant, and the collected refrigerant may be supplied toan additional heat exchange device (not illustrated). Accordingly, therefrigerant may be circulated in the first cooling path (111 of FIG. 1 )and the second cooling path (121 of FIG. 1 ), and the cooling efficiencyof the battery cell (141 of FIG. 1 ) may be improved.

In an embodiment, the first inlet pipe 112, the second inlet pipe 122,the first outlet pipe 113, and the second outlet pipe 123 may bedisposed in a front end region of the first cooling plate 110 or thesecond cooling plate 120.

In addition, in an embodiment, at least a portion of the first inletpipe 112, the second inlet pipe 122, the first outlet pipe 113, and thesecond outlet pipe 123 may be present on a lower surface or an uppersurface of the cooling plate 110 or the second cooling plate 120.

In addition, in an embodiment, the first inlet pipe 112, the secondinlet pipe 122, the first outlet pipe 113 and the second outlet pipe 123may be present outside a periphery of the back unit body (140 of FIG. 1) on the first cooling plate 110 or the second cooling plate 120.Accordingly, a cooling structure, capable of significantly reducing avolume of the battery pack, may be implemented.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of front end regions of thefirst cooling plate 110 and the second cooling plate 120, and is across-sectional view of the first inlet pipe 112 and the second inletpipe 122.

A flow path, by which the refrigerant flows in the main supply pipe 130,may be connected to a flow path, by which the refrigerant is introducedfrom the first inlet pipe 112, and a flow path by which the refrigerantflows in the second inlet pipe 122.

In the main supply pipe 130, the refrigerant may flow in a first flowdirection D1. The refrigerant, present in the main supply pipe 130, maybe introduced into the first inlet pipe 112 and the second inlet pipe122 by a pressure provided by the pump (160 of FIG. 1 ).

In the first inlet pipe 112 and the second inlet pipe 122, therefrigerant may flow in a second flow direction. The second flowdirection may be parallel to a direction in which the first inlet pipe112 is coupled to the second inlet pipe 122, and may be perpendicular tothe first flow direction. The second flow direction may include a secondupper flow direction D21, a flow direction in the first inlet pipe 112,and a second lower flow direction D22, a flow direction in the secondinlet pipe 122.

In the first inlet pipe 112, the refrigerant may flow in the secondupper flow direction D21 to be supplied to the first cooling path 111.In the second inlet pipe 122, the refrigerant may flow in the secondlower flow direction D22 to be supplied to the second cooling path 121.

In an embodiment, a diameter of the flow path, by which the refrigerantflows in the first inlet pipe 112, and a diameter of the flow path, bywhich the refrigerant flows in the second inlet pipe 122, may be thesame. Accordingly, the refrigerant may be uniformly distributed to thefirst cooling path 111 and the second cooling path 121.

The refrigerant, present in the first cooling path 111, may bedischarged through the first outlet pipe (113 of FIG. 2 ). Therefrigerant, present in the second cooling path 121, may be dischargedthrough the second outlet pipe (123 of FIG.). The refrigerant of thefirst outlet pipe (113 of FIG. 2 ) and the second outlet pipe (123 ofFIG. 2 ) meet in the main outlet pipe (150 of FIG. 2 ), and may befinally discharged outwardly of the first cooling plate 110 and thesecond cooling plate 120 through the main outlet pipe (150 of FIG. 2 ).

The battery cell 141, disposed to be followed by the first inlet pipe112 and the second inlet pipe 122 in an X-axis direction, may have aside surface surrounded by a side frame 170. The side frame 170 may bein contact with the first cooling plate 110 and the second cooling plate120 to protect the side surface of the battery cell 141.

The side frame 170 may partition a space, in which the battery cell 141is installed, and a space in which the first inlet pipe 112, the secondinlet pipe 122, the first outlet pipe (113 of FIG. 2 ), and the secondoutlet pipe (FIG. 2 of 123) are installed. The side frame 170 mayprevent the refrigerant from being introduced into the battery cell 141even when the refrigerant is discharged from the front end regions ofthe first cooling plate 110 and the second cooling plate 120.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the first inlet pipe 112 accordingto an embodiment of the present disclosure.

As illustrated in FIG. 4 , the first inlet pipe 112 may have an internalflow path 112 c provided therein, and a refrigerant may flow in theinternal flow path 112 c.

The first inlet pipe 112 may have one side provided with a first flange112 d protruding in a positive X-direction and a negative X-direction.The first flange 112 d may be in contact with the first cooling plate(110 of FIG. 3 ), and components such as a bolt (not illustrated), andthe like, may pass through the first flange 112 d. In anotherembodiment, the first flange 112 d may be welded to the first coolingplate (110 of FIG. 3 ). According to the first flange 112 d, the firstinlet pipe 112 may be easily coupled to the first cooling plate (110 ofFIG. 3 ).

The first inlet pipe 112 may have the other side provided with aplurality of projections 112 a protruding in the positive X-directionand the negative X-direction. In the first inlet pipe 112, a region inwhich the projection 112 a is present may be a coupling portion to thesecond inlet pipe (122 of FIG. 3 ). In the first inlet pipe 112, anexternal diameter 112 b of the region in which the projection 112 a ispresent may be smaller than an internal diameter (122 a of FIG. 5 ) ofthe second inlet pipe (122 of FIG. 5 ). Accordingly, the first inletpipe 112 may be fitted and coupled to the second inlet pipe (122 of FIG.3 ). The fitting coupling may contribute to improvement of assemblingproperties of the first inlet pipe 112 and the second inlet pipe (122 ofFIG. 3 ).

In an embodiment, a sealing member 114 may be provided on an externalsurface of the first inlet pipe 112. The sealing member 114 may bedisposed between the external surface of the first inlet pipe 112 and aninternal surface of the second inlet pipe (122 of FIG. 3 ) to preventthe refrigerant from being discharged. The sealing member 114 may beformed of a material including rubber, urethane, or the like. However,exemplary embodiments are not limited thereto, and the material of thesealing member 114 may be appropriately changed and applied depending onthe type of refrigerant, usage environments of the battery pack,specifications of the battery pack, and the like. The sealing member 114may also be disposed between an external surface of the first outletpipe (113 of FIG. 2 ) and an internal surface of the second outlet pipe(123 of FIG. 2 ).

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a second inlet pipe 122 and a mainsupply pipe 130 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

As illustrated in FIG. 5 , an internal flow path 122 b may be formed inthe second inlet pipe 122 in a direction, parallel to a Y-axis, and arefrigerant may flow in the internal flow path 122 b. An internaldiameter 122 a in an uppermost portion of the second inlet pipe 122 in apositive Y-direction may be larger than an external diameter (112 b ofFIG. 4 ) of the first inlet pipe (112 of FIG. 4 ).

The internal diameter 122 a of the second inlet pipe 122 may be the sameas an internal diameter 122 a of an uppermost portion of the secondinlet pipe 122 in a positive Y-direction, from an uppermost portion ofthe second inlet pipe 122 in the positive Y-direction to a certainsection in the negative Y-direction. The section, in which the internaldiameter of the second inlet pipe 122 is the same as the internaldiameter 122 a in the uppermost portion of the second inlet pipe 122 inthe positive Y-direction, may be a coupling portion to the first inletpipe (112 of FIG. 4 ).

In an embodiment, the internal diameter 122 a in the uppermost portionof the second inlet pipe 122 in the positive Y-direction and theexternal diameter (112 b of FIG. 4 ) of the first inlet pipe (112 ofFIG. 4 ) may be provided to have a loose fit tolerance or a medium fittolerance. Accordingly, fitting coupling between the first inlet pipe(112 of FIG. 4 ) and the second inlet pipe 122 may be facilitated, andassembling properties of the first inlet pipe (112 of FIG. 4 ) and thesecond inlet pipe 122 may be improved. What has been described above maybe equally applied to coupling between the first outlet pipe (113 ofFIG. 2 ) and the second outlet pipe (123 of FIG. 2 ).

A lower portion of the second inlet pipe 122 in a negative Y-directionmay be provided with a second flange 122 c protruding in a radialdirection of the second inlet pipe 122. The second flange 122 c may bein contact with the second cooling plate (120 of FIG. 3 ), andcomponents such as a bolt (not illustrated), and the like, may passthrough the second flange 122 c. In another embodiment, the secondflange 122 c may be welded to the second cooling plate (120 of FIG. 3 ).According to the second flange 122 c, the second inlet pipe 122 may beeasily coupled to the second cooling plate (120 of FIG. 3 ).

The main supply pipe 130 may branch from the second inlet pipe 122. Aninternal flow path 131 may be formed in the main supply pipe 130 in adirection, parallel to the X-axis, and may be connected to an internalflow path 122 b of the second inlet pipe 122. The main supply pipe 130may be provided to be integrated with the second inlet pipe 122, or maybe coupled to the second inlet pipe 122 by welding, or the like.However, exemplary embodiments are not limited thereto.

In an embodiment, at least a portion of an external periphery of themain supply pipe 130 may have a shape protruding in a radial directionthereof, which may contribute to easy coupling between the main supplypipe 130 and a pipe (not illustrated) or a hose (not illustrated)extending from the pump (160 of FIG. 1 ).

In an embodiment, at least one of the first inlet pipe 112, the secondinlet pipe (122 of FIG. 2 ), the first outlet pipe (113 of FIG. 2 ), thesecond outlet pipe (123 of FIG. 2 ), the main supply pipe (130 of FIG. 2), and the main outlet pipe (150 of FIG. 2 ) may be provided to beflexible.

In an embodiment, at least one of the first inlet pipe 112, the secondinlet pipe (122 of FIG. 2 ), the first outlet pipe (113 of FIG. 2 ), thesecond outlet pipe (123 of FIG. 2 ), the main supply pipe (130 of FIG. 2), and the main outlet pipe (150 of FIG. 2 ) may be formed of a materialincluding a flexible material.

In an embodiment, at least one of the first inlet pipe 112, the secondinlet pipe (122 of FIG. 2 ), the first outlet pipe (113 of FIG. 2 ), thesecond outlet pipe (123 of FIG. 2 ), the main supply pipe (130 of FIG. 2), and the main outlet pipe (150 of FIG. 2 ) may be provided with acorrugated external periphery to be subject to at least one ofextension, contraction, and bending deformation.

Accordingly, it may contribute to improvement of assembling efficiencyof the battery pack and improvement of space utilization efficiency.

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of a battery pack 100 accordingto an embodiment of the present disclosure.

As illustrated of FIG. 6 , the battery pack 100 according to anembodiment may include a side frame 170 facing a pack unit body 140. Theside frame 170 may include a partition wall frame 171 partitioning aspace in which a plurality of pack unit bodies 140 are accommodated. Thepartition wall frame 171 may be disposed in a direction, parallel to anX-axis, and a direction, parallel to a Z-axis, and the plurality of packunit bodies 140 may be accommodated in a space partitioned by the sideframe 170 and the partition wall frame 171.

The side frame 170 may have a first venting hole 170 a in a regionfacing the partition wall frame 171. An inside of the side frame 170 maybe provided have a hollow, and the hollow may be a second venting hole170 b. The second venting hole 170 b may be a path by which gas isdischarged outwardly of the battery pack.

The partition wall frame 171 may have a third venting hole 171 a in aregion facing the pack unit body 140. The third venting hole 171 a maybe a path by which the gas, discharged from the pack unit body 140, isintroduced. The gas, introduced into the third venting hole 171 a, maybe introduced into the first venting hole 170 a of the side frame 170and may be then discharged outwardly through the second venting hole 170b. Matters regarding the number and diameter of the third venting hole171 a may be appropriately selected and applied depending on the numberof battery cells 141, usage environments of the battery pack 100,specifications required for the battery pack 100, and the like, butexemplary embodiments are not limited thereto.

In an embodiment, a cover member 180 may be provided in upper portionsof the pack unit body 140, the partition wall frame 171, and the sideframe 170 in the positive Y-direction. The cover member 180 may be incontact with at least one of the side frame 170 and the partition wallframe 171, and may serve to block gas movement or gas propagationbetween the plurality of pack unit bodies 140.

In an embodiment, the cover member 180 may include a plurality of covermembers provided to correspond to the pack unit bodies 140 in aone-to-one correspondence. However, exemplary embodiments are notlimited thereto, and such a matter may be appropriately selected andapplied depending on the usage environments of the battery pack, and thelike.

In an embodiment, a first cooling plate 110 may be provided on an upperportion of the cover member 180 in a positive Y-direction. The coolingplate may be coupled to at least one of the cover member 180 and theside frame 170 to pressurize the cover member 180 and the pack unit body140 in a negative Y-direction.

FIG. 7 is a partially exploded perspective view of a battery pack 140according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

As illustrated of FIG. 7 , the pack unit body 140 may include aplurality of battery cells 141, and at least one pad 145 may be providedbetween the plurality of battery cells 141. The pad 145 may be incontact with the battery cell 141 to perform cooling or to respond to achange in volume of the battery cell 141.

A positive electrode tab 141 a may be drawn out to one side of thebattery cell 141, and a negative electrode tab 141 b may be drawn out tothe other side of the battery cell 141. However, a direction in whichthe positive electrode tab 141 a and the negative electrode tab 141 bare drawn out is not limited by the present disclosure.

The plurality of battery cells 141 may be supported by a bus bar frame142. The bus bar frame 142 may be provided to face the third ventinghole (171 a of FIG. 6 ) of the partition frame (171 of FIG. 6 ). Inaddition, the bus bar frame 142 may be formed of an insulating material,and may include a bus bar member 143 to which the positive tab 141 a andthe negative tab 141 b of the plurality of battery cells 141 areelectrically connected. The bus bar member 143 may include a pluralityof the bus bar members 143 provided on the bus bar frame 142.

The bus bar member 143 may have a slot 143 a into which the positiveelectrode tab 141 a and the negative electrode tab 141 b are inserted.The positive electrode tab 141 a and the negative electrode tab 141 bmay be inserted into the slot 143 a to be welded.

The battery cells 141, disposed on front and rear surfaces of the packunit body 140, may face an end plate 144, and the end plate 144 may bedisposed in a region in which the bus bar frame 142 is absent. In anembodiment, the end plate 144 may be coupled to the bus bar frame 142.However, exemplary embodiments are not limited thereto, and such amatter may be appropriately selected and applied depending on requiredbattery pack specifications, usage environments of the battery pack, andthe like.

As described above, when the plurality of battery cells 141 aresupported by the bus bar frame 142 and the end plate 144, the pack unitbody 140 may be completed without using an additional member, to beadvantageous for reducing weight of the entire battery pack.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A′ of FIG. 6 .

As illustrated of FIG. 8 , a battery pack according to an embodiment mayinclude a heat transfer material 190 interposed between the cover member180 and the first cooling plate 110 and between the cover member 180 andthe pack unit body 140. The heat transfer material 190 may be providedin the form of a pad to be in contact with the cover member 180, thefirst cooling plate 110, and the pack unit body 140. Alternatively, theheat transfer material 190 may be provided in the form of liquid or gelto be applied to the cover member 180, the first cooling plate 110, andthe pack unit body 140.

In an embodiment, the heat transfer material 190 may be formed of amaterial including an insulating material and a material having highthermal conductivity.

In addition, in an embodiment, the heat transfer material 190 mayinclude at least one of a thermal resin, a thermal grease, a thermaladhesive, an epoxy resin, and a heat dissipation pad.

When the first cooling plate 110 is disposed on the battery cell 141,the heat transfer material 190 may include at least one of a thermalgrease, a thermal conductive adhesive, an epoxy resin, and a heatdissipation pad.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A′ of FIG. 6 andillustrating a battery pack according to another embodiment of thepresent disclosure.

As illustrated of FIG. 9 , the battery pack according to anotherembodiment may include a heat transfer material 190 between a pack unitbody 140 and a second cooling plate 120. The same matters as theabove-described heat transfer material 190 may be applied to the heattransfer material 190 provided between the pack unit body 140 and thesecond cooling plate 120.

The heat transfer material 190 may improve the assembling efficiency ofthe pack unit body 140, and may improve cooling efficiency of thebattery cell 141 and the battery pack (100 of FIG. 6 ).

When the first cooling plate 110 and the second cooling plate 120 arerespectively disposed above and below the pack unit body 140, the packunit body 140 may be cooled above and below the back unit body 140.Therefore, cooling efficiency of the battery pack (100 of FIG. 6 ) maybe improved.

As described above, cooling efficiency of a battery cell may beimproved.

In addition, assembly efficiency and space utilization efficiency of abattery cell may be improved.

While specific examples of implementations have been illustrated anddescribed above, variations or enhancements of the disclosedimplementations and other implementations may be made based on what isdisclosed in this patent document.

What is claimed is:
 1. A battery pack comprising: a first cooling plateincluding a first cooling path, along which a refrigerant is circulated,and a first inlet pipe connected to the first cooling path; a secondcooling plate including a second cooling path, along which a refrigerantis circulated, and a second inlet pipe connected to the second coolingpath and sealingly engaged to the first inlet pipe; a main supply pipebranching from the first inlet pipe or the second inlet pipe andsupplying a refrigerant to the first inlet pipe and the second inletpipe; and a pack unit body including at least one battery cell anddisposed between the first cooling plate and the second cooling plate.2. The battery pack of claim 1, wherein: the first cooling plate furtherincludes a first outlet pipe connected to the first cooling path; thesecond cooling plate further includes a second outlet pipe connected tothe second cooling path and sealingly engaged to the first outlet pipe;and wherein the battery pack further includes a main outlet pipebranching from the first outlet pipe or the second outlet pipe anddischarging, to the outside, a refrigerant that is received from thefirst outlet pipe and the second outlet pipe.
 3. The battery pack ofclaim 2, wherein: the first inlet pipe is coupled to the second inletpipe in a coupling direction parallel to a height direction of thebattery cell.
 4. The battery pack of claim 3, wherein: the main supplypipe and the main outlet pipe allow a refrigerant to flow in a firstflow direction perpendicular to the coupling direction; and the firstinlet pipe, the first outlet pipe, the second inlet pipe, and the secondoutlet pipe allow a refrigerant to flow in a second flow directionparallel to the coupling direction.
 5. The battery pack of claim 2,wherein: at least one of the first inlet pipe or the first outlet pipeis formed such that an external diameter in a coupling portion to atleast one of the second inlet pipe or the second outlet pipe is smallerthan an internal diameter in a coupling portion to at least one of thesecond inlet pipe or the second outlet pipe; and the first inlet pipeand the first outlet pipe are fitted and coupled to the second inletpipe and the second outlet pipe, respectively.
 6. The battery pack ofclaim 5, wherein: the first inlet pipe and the first outlet pipe have aloose fit tolerance or a medium fit tolerance to the second inlet pipeand the second outlet pipe, respectively.
 7. The battery pack of claim6, further comprising: a sealing member disposed in at least one of aposition between an external surface of the first inlet pipe and aninternal surface of the second inlet pipe or a position between anexternal surface of the first outlet pipe and an internal surface of thesecond outlet pipe.
 8. The battery pack of claim 1, further comprising:a side frame facing the pack unit body; and a cover member disposedbetween the first cooling plate or the second cooling plate and the packunit body to cover the pack unit body.
 9. The battery pack of claim 8,wherein: the cover member is disposed between the first cooling plateand the back unit body; and wherein the battery pack further includes aheat transfer material disposed in at least one of a position betweenthe cover member and the first cooling plate or a position between thecover member and the pack unit body.
 10. The battery pack of claim 9,wherein: the heat transfer material is further disposed between the packunit body and the second cooling plate.
 11. The battery pack of claim 2,wherein: at least one of the first inlet pipe, the first outlet pipe,the second inlet pipe, the second outlet pipe, the main supply pipe, orthe main outlet pipe is formed to be flexible.
 12. The battery pack ofclaim 8, wherein: the side frame has a first venting hole and a secondventing hole connected to the outside; and the side frame furtherincludes a partition wall frame including a third venting hole connectedto the first venting hole and connected to the side frame such that thethird venting hole faces the pack unit body.